The DO'S and DON'TS
Wardrobe Advice
Your photos should reflect your individual style. But here are some best practices to help you choose outfits:
Tip 1
Colors > white.
White clothing reflects a lot of light and will quickly become overexposed outside. Go with ivory or cream instead. Avoid bright or saturated neon colors (like hot pink) as they often create an unflattering color cast on your skin. Neutrals, jewel tones, and earth tones always photograph well.
Tip 2
Texture > patterns.
Many people express themselves with color and patterns, and it’s really up to you how bold or curated you want your outfits to be! That said, sometimes patterns can be really busy and distracting. Try mixing solid color knits, cottons, linen, flannel, and/or denim as a way to add character to your wardrobe.
Tip 3
Wear something you can easily move around in.
Nothing kills a good photo op faster than someone pausing to readjust their outfit. Outfits with mini skirts, loose shoulder straps, dress belts, or fabrics that easily wrinkle - while great for fashion - can sometimes be a hindrance (especially if children are involved) and can limit our options for poses.
Do:
- Use a lint roller (especially on dark clothes or if you have a pet that sheds).
- Wear non-transition glasses. If you wear transition lenses (or photochromic lenses), on a sunny day it's going to look like you're wearing sunglasses in your photos. Bring a non-transitional pair or consider taking them off during your session.
- Be kind to yourself. Skip the negative self talk when you're getting ready and focus on the things that make you feel confident.
Don't:
- Wear dingy shoes. You don't have to be in dress shoes, but wear clean shoes that compliment your outfit. (During warmer months, you can even go barefoot if you want.)
- Overthink it. You don't have to coordinate colors or buy new clothes unless you want to.
Additional Advice for Parents
Cover Up
Cover your child's underwear or diaper. If your child will be wearing a dress, use bloomers, biker shorts, leggings, or tights to cover his/her bottom. If your baby or toddler will be in a shirt that may rise up when you hold them, put a plain onesie underneath so that the top of their diaper (and their belly) will not be exposed if their shirt rises up. If your baby drools a lot, keep them in a bib until I tell you to take it off.
Take It Off
Remove temporary tattoos with nail polish remover and take off brightly colored bandaids. (I will edit out scrapes and bruises.) And don't forget to look for chipped nail polish.
Tame It
If your kids have a lot of flyaway hairs, I recommend using a hairspray wand or stick to tame fine hair around the face.
Roll With It
No matter how hard we try to look nice, kids will inevitably do something to mess it up. When that happens, just let it be. It's hard to have fun and relax during a photoshoot if you're preoccupied fussing with clothing, hair, etc.
Need help?
Feel free to send me pictures of the outfits you have in mind if you need help deciding what to wear. I'm always happy to offer my professional opinion!